TOEFL Test Experience – 98

I gave my TOEFL on on the 13th of November and I have scored 98. I heartfully thank HSB for the excellent tips and hints on TOEFL. I have received a few mails on TOEFL from HSB mentioning some very useful hints and I have made very much out of them. Kudos to HSB.

I have scored

24 in reading,

23 in listening,

24 is speaking

27 in writing

Listening was easy but the main reason for the low score is, the air conditioner in the centre was directing towards me and beacuse of that I have faced occassional chils and I have missed some parts in the hearing. I have informed the people at the centre to reduce the temperature or to change the direction of the wind blow, but they didn’t heed to my request.

TOEFL Tips

I have the following important advice to the HSB followers. I hope they would be of some value. [TOEFL Study Guide]

Practice for spontaneity- I advice people not to take the 15 seconds preparation time while practicing speaking at home. Generally most of them talk something regarding any topic in their mother tongue. But when it comes to speaking in english most of them hesitate. So if we practice in this manner the 15 seconds time during the exam will be like a boon.

Take the complete 10 minute break- Most people avoid the 10 minute break during the exam and most of them will be in a hurry to complete the exam. Taking a 10 minute break will really control our senses and it cools our mind. This will make us well prepared for tackling the speaking and writing sections and we get fresh thoughts for facing them.

Do not choose a computer which is opposite to the air conditioner- This will make us uncomfortable and it can lead to some disturbance during the listening section. I have scored really well in the listening during the practice tests, but I couldn’t reprouce that during the test because I got a sytem which was oopositely facing the ac. In the beginning itself ask for a system which will prevent this problem.

Patience- This is the main thing which many people lack. Have lot of patience in answering them. TOEFL is a 4 hour exam and really patience is the main prerequisite feature.

I thank HSB for providing an excellent platform for the students to share their ideas.

Comments

Its true that patience is the first & most vital factor for success in TOEFL. I gave my TOEFL on November 13th 2010. Thankfully my center didn't have air condition at all 🙂 . One thing that needs to be given priority is either a lengthy reading or listening section. I was fortunate enough to get the long listening section which actually is quite easy to comprehend & reproduce if your are good at taking EFFECTIVE NOTES. Don't panic if the reading section is lengthy, you will hardly have 2 passages extra (3-4 audios extra if in listening section). Manage time effectively on reading section, where I actually couldn't complete 3 multiple point answers.

Utilize break efficiently to rejuvenate yourself. Then comes the speaking section where everyone starts simultaneously & here you will get to know how exactly the word equivocate came into existence. Try to start late if possible. You might get a chance to get to know how your neighbors are approaching & you can fix to a quickly built strategy. You will be asked by the computer to adjust the initial volume & once set don't try to realign your headset position (Bad audio recording may make you to lose marks.) As soon as you listen to audio clippings make a flowchart and stick to it. Speak as clearly as you can even if the frequency of words is low. Try to cover everything into fewer words that you can actually come across at that pressure level. Writing section is generally ignored by many as its the last section & you will be running out of enthusiasm. Try maintain composure & before typing the answers make a flowchart (in your mind at least ) as soon as you make out the question. This is one such section where you can enhance your score if you really think you are lagging in the former sections.

There are lot of videos available on youtube and you should definitely check them for speaking section at least. Having said all this stuff I must admit that I just prepared for 2 days. Still practiced upto my satisfaction & managed to get 104 (R-25, L-27, S-24, W-28).

1. Is there any order to take up the GRE & TOEFL exams. >> GRE first followed by TOEFL.

2. How should i start my preparation as am an working in a company and have 3+ work exp. >> You have to make a plan, schedule and stick to it. It starts with which semester you want to apply.

3. I what way my work exp will be an added advantage in going for maters in US. >> Not much. It will help a bit in admission though.

4. The more important thing is i have a very bad academic track record am able to secure on 60.2 % in my 10th , 52% in my Inter and 58.4% in my B.Tech will this be road block for my masters. 60% is not bad. Try to get good GRE score.